Jennifer Lopez performs a medley during a tribute to Motown's 60th anniversary at the 61st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Matt Sayles/AP

Music

J-Lo’s controversial Grammys set wows

by Lexie Cartwright

11th Feb 2019 2:38 PM
| Updated:
2:38 PM

MUSIC'S night of nights has come and gone with the world's biggest superstars taking centre stage at the 61st annual Grammys.

Streaming live on Fox8, the ceremony was held at the Staples Center in LA and the spotlight was on Lady Gaga, whose smash hit Shallow won several awards.

But Jennifer Lopez briefly rained Gaga's parade, giving one of the best performances of the night in a bedazzling medley for Motown Records' 60th anniversary.

The Recording Academy announced earlier this month that J-Lo would be performing the Motown salute, which met extreme backlash from fans who thought the liked of Gladys Knight, Beyonce or Jennifer Hudson should have been given the honour.

But Lopez proved her critics wrong with her high-energy, vocally flawless Motown celebration.

Ne-Yo, left, and Jennifer Lopez perform a medley during a tribute to Motown's 60th anniversary at the 61st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)Matt Sayles

The Jenny From The Block singer opened with dance classic Dancing In The Street before stripping down to a sparkling one piece - just one of her several on-stage outfit changes during the lengthy set.

The 49-year-old was surrounded by dozens of back-up dancers who performed in sync with her during the performance, which also featured vocals from Smokey Robinson and Ne-Yo.

Earlier, Gaga's Shallow won the award for Best Pop Duo and Best Song Written for Visual Media. Gaga also won Best Pop Solo Performance for her song, Joanne.

The Best Pop Duo nod marked Bradley Cooper's first time being nominated for - and winning - a Grammy.

Shallow was also up for Song of the Year and Record of the Year, but missed out.

"I just want to say thank you to God; thank you for looking out for me," Gaga said in her acceptance speech for Best Pop Duo.

"I wish Bradley was here with me right now.

"I just want to say I'm so proud to be a part of a movie that addresses mental health issues. They're so important."

Hosted by Alicia Keys, the leading nominees were in the hip-hop category, with Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Childish Gambino and Cardi B scoring awards.

In a moment of epic female empowerment, Gaga, Keys, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez and the former First Lady Michelle Obama all took to the stage together to talk about the impact music has had on their lives.

After winning the MusiCares Person of the Year for 2019 at the weekend - the organisation that distributes the Grammys - country queen Dolly Parton was also honoured.

Miley Cyrus, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Linda Perry and Katy Perry, all joined by Parton, performed a number of her songs as a tribute in an electrifying set that included Jolene, Here You Come Again, After The Gold Rush and 9 To 5.

Album of the Year is the most prestigious award of the evening, with Kacey Musgraves taking out the top gong.

The ceremony opened with a performance from J Balvin and Young Thug, who were joined by Ricky Martin, Camila Cabello, and Arturo Sandoval. Other performers have included Cardi B, Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Dan + Shay, Post Malone, Shawn Mendes, Diana Ross, and Janelle Monae.